Original Item: Only one available. Now this is a pistol that really brings back the romance of "Big Game Hunting" during the early British Victorian Era! These very large bore pistols were originally made for close range use in a Howdah, which is the box compartment that sat on the back of an Elephant and used in tiger hunts throughout India and Nepal.

Officers would pursue this sport using high power sporting rifles to shoot their game from these locations of safety. Once in a while a tiger fought back climbing up the side of the Elephant to confront the Howdahs occupants. Therefore, the Howdah pistol was specially made to handle really substantial loads of powder together with a real tiger stopping Ball over .50". Hopefully the hunter found time to lean over the side of the Howdah and shoot the invading tiger at point blank range for if not, he was quickly the tiger's lunch!

These were usually made in England, and sold to officers or other well-off people, and they became popular not just for Tiger hunting, but also for self defense. The name Howdah however stuck, even though many were never destined to be used while hunting tigers.

This is a fantastic upmarket example of a Victorian Double Barrel Howdah Percussion pistol, in the standard "Side by Side" configuration and marked on both lock plates by maker J№ JONES & SON, for John Jones & Son of Birmingham, England. This is a very well-regarded maker, per Bailey & Nie located at 22 Whittall St in Birmingham, and operated approximately 1810-1830. Jones Sr. in particular was quite innovative, having received patents for barrel forging techniques in 1806 and 1809. He also apparently devised an "improved percussion" design in the early 19th century. We were able to get the barrel off, but there are no markings of any importance underneath, looking to have had some past oxidation removed and the barrel refinished in the past, which unfortunately removed any proof marks that were present.

The howdah measures about 14 ¼ inches in overall length, with 8 inch long .677" caliber double barrels, which is considered "15 Bore", rare today but somewhat common during the Victorian era. The longer length of this example would suggest it definitely has a good chance of being actually intended for "Safari" use. It features a beautiful burl walnut stock that terminates in a lightly engraved silver butt cap with a flower at the end. The barrel wedge escutcheons are also silver, as is the small escutcheon on the back of the grip, while the trigger guard and ramrod pipe are ornately engraved iron. The lock plates and hammers are engraved as well, making this a very decorative example.

The pistol is really a lovely piece, with the barrels showing a lovely plum color, and the spiral laminated steel forging pattern is still clearly visible on the barrels. The breech plugs also still retain much of the case coloring, and the cap nipple cones are in great shape, possibly having been replaced at some point. The locks are lovely, though they do show wear to from cleaning over the 200 or so years this pistol has been in existence. Both are still fully functional, holding correctly at half cock and firing at full. Both also have safeties on the hammers, however the right side is broken, while the left does not seem to function anymore. There is a brass tipped ramrod under the barrel, which we assume is a period replacement.

A magnificent example of a Victorian Era Howdah big bore side by side pistol, by a desirable Birmingham maker. Ready to research and display!

Specifications:

Year of Manufacture: circa 1835
Bore Diameter: 15 Bore about .677"
Ammunition Type: Lead Ball & Powder
Barrel Length: 8 inches
Overall Length: 14 ¼ inches
Action: Percussion lock side action
Feed System: Muzzle-Loaded

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Pre-1899 Manufacture, no licenses required, allowed to ship to almost any deliverable address across the globe. Please note that for international shipping, these MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.